Voice actor Peter Renaday, known for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon, died on Sunday, September 8, 2024. He was found on Tuesday, September 10 during a welfare check. According to law enforcement, it appears that he died of natural causes. He was 89 years old.

In the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series, Renaday voiced Master Splinter, the anthropomorphic rat who was the Turtles’ father figure and teacher. He voiced Splinter during the show’s entire 10-season run from 1987 to 1996.

“Folks, I’m devastated this morning to learn of the passing yesterday of our dear sensei, Peter Renaday,” Michaelangelo voice actor Townsend Coleman wrote on Facebook. “Pete was one of the most genuine, salt of the earth people I have ever known and I will miss him dearly.”

“He and I, and the rest of our wonderful cast laughed a lot,” Leonardo voice actor Cam Clarke shared on social media. “We were fortunate to take Pete out for his 88th birthday last year to reminisce, honor him and yes, laugh some more. Thanks for all our time together. Turtle power, my friend, and beyond…”

Renaday was born in New Iberia, Louisiana on September 6, 1935. His résumé included over 175 credits, primarily as a voice actor, though with a few in live-action. His screen debut came in an episode of General Hospital in 1963, then he was in The Love Bug, The Adventures of Pinocchio, and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again.

His first big voice acting role was in several episodes of Alvin & the Chipmunks in 1983. He voiced the Henchman in The Black Cauldron, Dr. Marsh and Amen-Ra in G.I. Joe, Master Blaster in Kidd Video, Grapple in The Transformers, Mandrake the Magician in Defenders of the Earth, Walter Stark in the Iron Man cartoon, and Abraham Lincoln in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Renaday voiced characters in The Real Ghostbusters, DuckTales, Jem, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, Batman: The Animated Series, Animaniacs, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Gargoyles, Mulan, Angel, the Justice League animated show, Howl’s Moving Castle, The Princess and the Frog, and Archer.

His work in video game voice acting included Assassin’s Creed, Metal Gear Solid, Star Wars: Uprising, and The Elder Scrolls: Blades.